Sathya Sai Baba's nephew Ratnakar questioned

New Delhi: After Satya Sai Baba's recent demise, his trust continues to be under the scanner due to alleged financial irregularities. There are cracks developing between the trust and Sai Baba's family as the devotees too are demanding transparency in the trust.

The Sai Trust may have been untouchable when the Sai Baba was alive, but calls to probe into its affairs are increasing day by day - and in Puttapathi this Saturday, a bulk of the demands came from devotees of the Sai Baba who now mistrust the trust.

Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Ponnala Laxmaiah said, "In the past, the trust was granted several exemptions. We have now asked the trust for a factual report about the finances and their plan, based on which we will take action."

On Saturday, trustees RJ Ratnakar who is Sai Baba's newphew and V Srinivasan recorded their statements. Police had on Wednesday issued notices to the two trustees, asking them to appear before it in connection with the cash seizure.

Meanwhile, police concluded its questioning of Venkatesh, a personal assistant of Srinivasan, the officer said, adding that Srinivasan would be quizzed on Monday.

Three persons arrested in connection with the seizure of Rs 35.5 lakh in cash Harishnanda Shetty, Chandrashekhar Murthy alias Shekhar and engineer Sohan Shetty were on Friday granted conditional bail by a court.

Harishnanda Shetty is the driver of the vehicle that was transporting Rs 35.5 lakh which was confiscated during checking at Kodikonda check post under Chilamanthur police station limits bordering Karnataka on June 18.

The cash was recovered a day after Sai Baba's personal chamber 'Yajur Mandir' was opened and it was disclosed that it contained 98 kg of gold, 307 kg of silver, apart from Rs 11.56 crore.